Hochman Defeats Gascon in LA Country District Attorney Race
Nathan Hochman
By RACHAEL GAUDIOSI
Los Angeles County will be getting a new district attorney, with former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman handily defeating incumbent George Gascón, whose progressive policies swept him into office four years ago but made him a target of critics who accused him of being soft on crime.
Semi-official results from Tuesday’s election showed Hochman with 61.5% of the vote, and Gascón with 38.5%.
Gascón has defended his record while in office, denying allegations that his policies have led to an increase in crime and insisting that statistics show actual drops in many categories. But Hochman disputed that claim and said he would ensure people serve appropriate punishment for their crimes.
“We’ll go back to just two things — the facts and the law,” Hochman told his supporters gathered in Beverly Hills Tuesday night.
While the votes were still being tallied, he told his backers that “the voices of the residents of L.A. County have been heard and they’re saying enough is enough of George Gascón’s policies and they look forward to a safer future.”
The Association of Deputy District Attorneys, which represents county prosecutors, hailed Hochman’s victory as a “pivotal moment in the fight to return balance and accountability to the justice system and to prioritize public safety in a county that has seen a dangerous decline under the failed leadership of George Gascón.”
There was no immediate statement from Gascón. But Cristine Soto DeBerry, executive director of Prosecutors Alliance Action, issued a statement praising his dedication to public service and said Hochman’s win does not mean the end of a more progressive approach to criminal justice.
“I’ve been a supporter of Nathan since he ran for Attorney General, and he was the one I chose in the primary,” said Doc Dale, a dedicated supporter. “I’m expecting a big win tonight,” Dale added, underscoring the widespread support Hochman has garnered from those who feel a firmer stance on crime is needed.
On Wednesday morning, he released a statement conceding the race to Hochman.
“The rightward shift across America last night is heartbreaking,” Gascón said. “Democrats have a long road ahead, but the work is more vital than ever and our commitment will not waver. Nevertheless, I have called Mr. Hochman and wish him the best as Los Angeles County’s next District Attorney.
He continued: “I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past four years and grateful to the communities who have been and will always be the heart of criminal justice reform.”
Hochman addressed his victory in a brief message on X. “The rightward shift across America last night is heartbreaking,” Gascón said. “Democrats have a long road ahead, but the work is more vital than ever, and our commitment will not waver. Nevertheless, I have called Mr. Hochman and wish him the best as Los Angeles County’s next District Attorney.
He continued: “I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past four years and grateful to the communities who have been and will always be the heart of criminal justice reform.”
(Editor’s Note: Hochman Defeats Gascon first appeared in the Westside Current in November 6 and is reprinted with permission.)
Proposition 36 Passes Easily
Rallies were held in support of Prop. 36
BY SUE PASCOE
California Proposition 36 was overwhelmingly passed by voters 70.4% to 29.6% (as of November 6). The ballot measure only needed a simple majority to pass. The Proposition was opposed by Governor Gavin Newsom and District Attorney George Gascon. Many felt that Prop. 36 was a way to overturn the damage done by Prop.47.
In 2014, voters passed Prop. 47 which was supposed to help California prison overcrowding by turning some drug and theft crimes into misdemeanors. That proposition allowed shoplifters who stole $950 or less in goods to be charged with a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
Now under Prop. 36, the theft could be classified as a felony and up to three years in prison if the offender has “two or more past convictions for certain theft crimes (such as shoplifting, burglary or carjacking).”
Prop. 36 requires some felonies, such as drug dealing drugs such as fentanyl to be served in state prison and not county jail. It also establishes “treatment-mandated felony,” which allows those charged with drug possession, who do not contest the charges to complete drug treatment and have the charges dismissed instead of sent to jail. If they don’t finish treatment they could serve in state prison for up to three years.
Supporters of Prop. 36 raised about $16.8 million to get it passed, while its opponents raised $7.7 million to defeat it, according to figures from CalMatters.
More about Prop. 36 can be found on September 29, Circling the News (“The Simple Facts about Proposition 36) click here.